1939 Ford 2 Door Standard Rear Tail Lights

B

billybronco1

Well-known member
Is this correct this year and model only has one tail light, looks strange.
 

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The standard came with but one tail lamp. Three states (I seem to recall three) required two lamps. Those cars would have been fitted with both a left and right lamp.
In that case, the installation was more than simply cutting hole for the housing. Nope, not quite.
In reality, the car had a fender installed with the supporting brace around the hole.
 
ok good to know. I see there are some retro led tail lights out there. Does anyone know if there flat on the back and only require three holes to be drilled, two for mounting, one for the wires. I like two tail lights and prefer led (want to be seen). With a split rear window the brake lighter might not work so well or look great.
 
billybronco1 said:
ok good to know. I see there are some retro led tail lights out there. Does anyone know if there flat on the back and only require three holes to be drilled, two for mounting, one for the wires. I like two tail lights and prefer led (want to be seen). With a split rear window the brake lighter might not work so well or look great.
Click to expand...

You will need to make a hole for the bucket.
 
My 1940 also has but one light. I use this small portable LED light when driving at night. Is the kind of warning light that might be hung on a farm/work trailer. Red LED is very bright, will certainly catch the attention of a car behind you. (maybe too bright; had it in flashing mode and club member driving behind me told me it was obnoxious!)

It's hook fits perfectly over the '40 bumper, so should also on a '39. Magnet on back of light grabs the bumper so doesn't bounce around. Batteries last me a whole season.

https://go.harborfreight.com/sku/64115/
 
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I recall reading an article in the V-8 Times about someone restoring a Standard '39 that was retrofitted with a passenger side taillight. The only problem was that the passenger side taillight was installed a couple of inches too high. It wasn't noticed until the car went together after paint.
 
The fenders for taillights had a flat spot where the taillight mounted. If you were simply to cut the clearance hole and mount screw holes in your fender the rim would end up about 1/8" above the fender. Could even have come new from a dealer if they installed it quick and dirty. If you want it to fit flush with the left side expect a little body work or go "hole hawg" and use a new fender.
 
It's been like that since 1939. I wouldn't bugger the fender, but look for a right side one with the light to retro-fit.....can't be too hard to do a colour match. Just my opinion.

GB
 
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